Material transport and storage device

ABSTRACT

The Material Transport and Storage Device takes the place of a pallet. Its form is in the general shape of a rectangular slab with multiple legs extending down from each side. The Material Transport and Storage Device is made from high strength plastic or other composite materials. The Material Transport and Storage Device is designed to act as a pallet during transport and a shelf or table when it has reached the destination. The Material Transport and Storage Device can be lifted and moved while loaded by a standard powered fork lift or by a hand operated fork lift. The Material Transport and Storage Device will greatly reduce the time of handling of the product resulting in cost savings in terms of efficiency and job related injures.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention is in the general field of load-bearing structures and more particularly, is a load bearing structure, that can be made from injection molded plastics and other high impact composites.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A shipping or storage pallet is a well known load-bearing, moveable platform whereon articles are placed for shipment. The pallet usually is loaded with a multiplicity of items, such as cartons or boxes. The loaded pallet is movable with either a pallet jack or forklift.

There is a nine billion dollar market for pallets in the United States. There is a thirty billion dollar worldwide market. Approximately ninety percent of these markets are for pallets made from wood.

The weight of the wood pallet is in the range of forty to seventy pounds Therefore, the weight of cargo shipped on the wood pallet is significantly increased because of the heavy wooden pallets. It should be understood that injuries caused by wood splinters and nails are a frequent occurrences among people who handle the wood pallets. Additionally, disposal of the wood pallet at the end of it's useful life is a threat to the environment.

There has been concern among nations about the use of the wood pallet causing a import of wood boring insects, including the Asian Longhorned Beetle, the Asian Cerambycid Beetle, the Pine Wood Nemaode, the Pine wilt Nematode and the Anoplophora Glapripwnnis. Exemplary of the damage caused by imported insects is the fate of the Chestnut Tree in the United States. There was a time when it was said that a squirrel could cross the United States on Chestnut Tree limbs without ever touching the ground. Imported insect infestation has caused the extinction of the Chestnut Tree in the United States.

Therefore the wood pallet's weight, the injuries it causes, it's treat to the environment and the possibility it's facilitating the importation of wood boring insects militates against the use of the wood pallet. As explained hereinafter, there is an attractive alternative to the wood pallet.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is an easily moveable load bearing structure that is not likely to carry wood boring insects.

Another object of the invention is a moveable load bearing structure that does not have splinters and nails that may cause injury.

According to the present invention, a Material Transport and Storage Device has a high strength platform and legs that are chemically and UV ray resistant as well as food storage and transport compatible.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment there of as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The Material Transport and Storage Device is a direct replacement of wooden pallets, dunnage racks and shelves particularly in restaurants and stores. The Material Transport and Storage Device can be made in one piece or as the images show, multiple pieces to facilitate easy repair and replacement of damaged parts. The two top parts are identical and snap together. There are grooves in the top pieces so multiple units may be stacked one on top of the other for empty storage and transport. The multiple leg sets are also identical and slide into the assembled top set and add to the overall strength because of the arched leg design. The side skirts of the top pieces increase the leg stability leading to a mutually supportive design. The no cavity, open design is both strong, easy to inspect and clean. All the attributes desired in the material transport industry.

The preferred method of manufacture will be injection molded plastic of recycled material owing to the plastics high strength to weight ratio and the environmentally friendly act of keeping plastic out of landfills. Even worn out or broken pieces of the Material Transport and Storage Device will be recycled in to new parts marking this device unique in that it never becomes a waste product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an objective view of the Material Transport and Storage Device shown from above and to the side.

FIG. 2 is an objective view of the Material Transport and Storage Device shown from the bottom showing the open plan form design.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the Material Transport and Storage Device honeycomb design and the leg sets fitting neatly into the top set.

FIG. 4 is an objective view of the Material Transport and Storage Device top part shown from above and to the side.

FIG. 5 is an objective view of the Material Transport and Storage Device top part shown from below and to the side.

FIG. 6 is an objective view of the Material Transport and Storage Device leg set shown from above and to the side.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a mobile shelving system which overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages of prior art devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving system which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shelving system with is strong, yet easily assembled and repaired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile shelving system which is easier to use than known devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving system which can be transported with product already loaded eliminating restocking of shelves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile shelving system which absorbs and dissipates forces, such as laterally applied, vertically applied, and torsional forces better than conventional devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transportable shelving system stronger than know devices yet uses less expensive materials in its construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving system having various components made of different parts that are readily assembled despite the provision of close tolerances to achieve a strong transportable shelf.

In summary, therefore, the invention is directed to a mobile shelving system which is easier to use, is strong, is cost effective, is reliable, has increased holding capacity, is inexpensive to produce and ship and better withstands forces of loading as well as external forces exerted on its elements than known devices. In short the Material Transport and Storage Device will greatly reduce handling cost and work related injury because the product is loaded only once before being delivered and product removed as needed by the end user. 

1. The Material Transport and Storage Device acts as a pallet for transporting food ingredients as well as shelf to the items off of the floor in the storage area until needed.
 2. The Material Transport and Storage Device works well with powered and hand operated forklifts as well as after market lifting and moving devices.
 3. The Material Transport and Storage Device can be made from recycled plastic as well as other composite materials.
 4. The Material Transport and Storage Device may have radius or angled legs to reduce the lifting forks tendency to snag.
 5. The Material Transport and Storage Device has a wide spread between the individual legs to reduce impact chance and damage from lifting and transporting devices.
 6. The Material Transport and Storage Device is lightweight and has hand holds designed in to reduce injuries while handling when empty.
 7. The Material Transport and Storage Device can be made starting with food grade recycled plastic and its open, no cavity design makes it certifiable by the National Sanitation Foundation.
 8. The National Sanitation Foundation certification will allow the Material Transport and Storage Device to be used in restaurants and the food industry.
 9. The Material Transport and Storage Device is made from multiple parts meaning it is inexpensive to repair and the damaged parts may be recycled.
 10. The Material Transport and Storage Device has recessed grooves on top to facilitate sacking or nesting of The Material Transport and Storage Device one on top of the other for transport and storage of the units while not in use.
 11. The Material Transport and Storage Device robust construction without confined spaces makes spray cleaning and sanitizing easy. 